The Little Mermaid (Facebook)

When I first heard they were making another live-action of Disney classic, I rolled my eyes. Resigned to the fact that Disney may butcher a favorite. Then when I saw the first few pictures and the trailer, I was one of those up in arms— where’s my fair-skinned, red-headed mermaid??? And what did they do to poor, cute, little yellow flounder???

Still, it was a Disney movie. And I for one, will never pass one up. And I’m so glad I didn’t.

In the end it turned out delightful. Any and all objections, trepidations, hesitations (heck, all negative-tons) were banished to fathom below. All that you’d absorb was the fact that the Ariel they got had the wide eyed innocence needed for the part. She will just enchant you. The actor that portrayed Eric, reminded me so much of the real life adult Neville Longbottom (and he’s a dish!) So the combination of Eric + Ariel equals a theater full of “kilig” smiles and giggles.

The music, as ever, was terrific and with the new songs by Lin Manuel Miranda—makes me want to buy the soundtrack on CD. (Yes, I’m part of THAT generation).

Purists may object to the new sounds, but I personally found Akwafina’s Scuttlebutt song as scuttle particularly fun.

Storywise the movie attempts to flesh out the time Ariel spends on land. In a departure from the movie, she spends much more time outside the castle, learning about the world above. It goes a long way to expound on her character and motivations, as we the audience join her in experiencing wonderful new things, giving us a deeper understanding of her obsession with those who live above the sea.

Much of the credit goes to the screenwriter David Magee and Rob Marshal, who stay much more true to the spirit of the animated movie that some other live action adaptations. It shouldn’t be surprising though that they know how to handle updates and adaptations of classic Disney material, as both Magee and Marshal have a history with Disney, having worked together on the wonderfully charming Marry Poppins Returns in 2016.

Aside from Haile Bailey’s Ariel, other standout cast members are Melissa McCarthy as the deliciously evil sea-witch, Ursula, and Daveed Diggs as the ever-loyal but also ever put-upon crustacean, Sebastian. McCarthy sinks her tentacles deep into the role she seems almost born for it, and Diggs shows us why he won a Tony for his role in the hit Broadway musical, Hamilton.

The cinematic world that they created under the sea is so rich and vast that it may just make you forget about the classic version and turn this one into a favorite. Don’t be a poor unfortunate soul and miss out on the opportunity. Go watch the movie.

You may kiss ‘this’ girl in thanks after you do. (Yes yes, I know. Overkill.) It’s just definitely a scuttlebutt-worthy film you shouldn’t miss!